SpiceJet passengers endure hour-long wait inside aircraft without AC in Delhi; airlines says no AC issues

Rohan Kumar, a passenger aboard the flight, recounted the ordeal, stating that despite the discomfort and complaints from several passengers feeling unwell, the air conditioning remained inactive until the flight eventually took off.

Passengers onboard SpiceJet flight SG 486, traveling from Delhi to Darbhanga, faced distressing conditions on June 19 as they were compelled to wait inside the aircraft for more than an hour without air conditioning.

The incident occurred in Delhi amidst the scorching heatwave gripping the national capital, worsening discomfort and leaving several passengers to feel unwell.

Passengers were visibly distressed as they grappled with temperatures reportedly reaching 40 degrees Celsius inside the cabin. Videos circulating online show passengers using books and magazines to fan themselves desperately in an attempt to cool down.

Rohan Kumar, a passenger aboard the flight, recounted the ordeal, stating that despite the discomfort and complaints from several passengers feeling unwell, the air conditioning remained inactive until the flight eventually took off.

“I was travelling from Delhi to Darbhanga (SG 486) from SpiceJet. At the Delhi airport after the check-in, they did not switch on the air-conditioning (AC) for an hour. The temperature inside (flight) was 40 degrees Celsius. The passengers were suffering. The air-conditioner (AC) was switched on when the flight took off,” said Rohan Kumar, one of the passengers.

But, according to a statement from SpiceJet spokesperson's statement to media, flight SG 476 from Delhi to Darbhanga, scheduled to depart at 11 am on June 19, departed punctually without any delays. Addressing concerns over the air conditioning system, the spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft operated normally throughout the flight and upon arrival in Darbhanga.

The spokesperson clarified that the same aircraft also operated the return flight to Delhi without encountering any air conditioning issues. During the boarding process in Delhi, there were brief challenges with the air conditioning due to extreme weather conditions and the aircraft doors being open, as boarding did not occur via the aerobridge.

Here is full statement by SpiceJet spokesperson:

SpiceJet flight SG 476 from Delhi to Darbhanga on June 19, scheduled to depart at 11 am, departed on time without any delays. The air conditioning was working normally throughout the flight, which was verified and cross-checked upon arrival in Darbhanga. The same aircraft operated the return flight to Delhi, and there were no issues with the air conditioning on the return flight either. During boarding in Delhi, the air conditioning initially experienced slight inefficiency due to extreme weather conditions and both doors of the aircraft being open, as boarding was not via the aerobridge. The doors were promptly closed after boarding completion, and the cooling functioned normally thereafter.

Delhi heatwave causes delay for IndiGo flight to Bagdogra

This incident comes just a day after a similar situation unfolded on an IndiGo flight bound for Bagdogra, where passengers also endured a lengthy delay due to technical issues exacerbated by high ground temperatures at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. IndiGo had issued a statement attributing the delay of flight 6E 2521 to a technical issue caused by “high ground temperatures.”